College Baseball · 6 months ago

D1Baseball Super Regional: UTSA vs UCLA Series Breakdown

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

Host · Writer

Series Prediction – Can UTSA’s Magic Continue?
Call it crazy, but the vibes around UTSA are undeniable. They’re red-hot, confident, and just knocked out one of the best rosters in college baseball. That matters. Still, UCLA has more depth and arguably the best player in the series.

But in postseason baseball, momentum and belief often outweigh projections.

Prediction: UTSA in 3.
The Bruins are built to win, but the Roadrunners are built to disrupt—and that’s what they’ve done all year.

Series Odds: UCLA -180 | UTSA +145

*All Odds Subject to Change. Courtesy Bet365
Series Preview – UTSA Roadrunners vs. UCLA Bruins
The Los Angeles Super Regional was never supposed to look like this. What was projected to be a Texas-UCLA clash quickly became the Cinderella story of UTSA vs. the Bruins. The No. 25 Roadrunners shocked the college baseball world by winning the Austin Regional, eliminating the No. 2 overall seed Texas Longhorns in their own backyard. Meanwhile, UCLA held serve in dominant fashion, steamrolling through their home bracket with offensive firepower and solid arms.

This matchup offers a stylistic contrast. UTSA brings elite contact, high OBP, and gritty baseball, ranking in the top 10 nationally in batting average and on-base percentage despite a low slugging profile. UCLA, on the other hand, brings a more balanced attack. Elite draft prospect Roch Cholowsky anchors their lineup, and the pitching, while inconsistent early, has steadied down the stretch.

With a trip to Omaha on the line, expect intensity and chaos from both dugouts. UTSA has embraced the underdog role and proven it can beat top-tier teams on the road. UCLA enters with more pedigree and depth, but this series is far from a lock.

#25 UTSA Roadrunners

Overall: 47-13

Conference: 23-4

RPI: 18

SOS: 100

#16 UCLA Bruins

Overall: 45-16

Conference: 22-8

RPI: 11

SOS: 29

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
Where to Watch UCLA vs UTSA
Here’s the full viewing schedule for the Los Angeles Super Regional:

Location: Los Angeles, California
Matchup: No. 15 UCLA vs. UTSA

Game 1: Saturday, June 7 – 7 p.m. ET | ESPNU

Game 2: Sunday, June 8 – 3 p.m. ET | TBA

Game 3 (If Necessary): Monday, June 9 – TBD

With two explosive offenses and high-stakes pressure, this is must-watch baseball for fans and bettors alike.

Game 1 Odds

ML: UTSA +160 | UCLA -200

RL: UTSA +1.5 (-125) | UCLA -1.5 (-105)

Total: O 12.5 (-115) U 12.5 (-115)

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UTSA Team Breakdown – Strengths, Weaknesses & Key Players
The Roadrunners aren’t here by accident. UTSA boasts one of the most consistent contact-heavy offenses in the nation. They rank 13th in runs scored per game and top 10 in both average and OBP. Mason Lytle, James Tuassig, Norris McClure, and Jordan Ballin all bat above .347, turning every at-bat into a grind for opposing pitchers.

UTSA is more vulnerable on the mound. The Roadrunners lack depth in the rotation and have a team ERA near 5.00. However, they don’t beat themselves, ranking 11th nationally in walk rate. Attacking the zone will be critical against a disciplined UCLA team.

UTSA is scrappy, fearless, and dangerous. They’ve already proven they can win on the road, so don’t be surprised if they cause more chaos.

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UCLA Team Breakdown – Balanced, Dangerous, and Omaha-Ready
The Bruins have flipped the switch. After some midseason doubts, UCLA reminded everyone why they’re a postseason threat by dominating the Los Angeles Regional. Offensively, they hit .297 as a team with an impressive .413 OBP and nearly 8 runs per game.

Roch Cholowsky leads the charge—a top 2026 MLB Draft prospect with elite production, bat speed, and defense. Supporting him are standout underclassmen Dean West, Roman Martin, and Cashel Dugger, all bringing energy and discipline.

Pitching is where UCLA raised eyebrows. With a team ERA of 4.54 and WHIP of 1.38, they’ve found consistency behind Michael Barnett in the rotation and lockdown options like Luke Rodriguez and Jack O’Connor out of the bullpen.

The Bruins are polished, deep, and built to make noise in Omaha—if they survive UTSA.
Regional Recap – How They Got Here
UTSA Roadrunners

In a historic performance, UTSA punched its first-ever ticket to the Super Regionals by sweeping the Austin Regional. They opened with a dominant 10–2 win over Kansas State, then knocked off No. 2 seed Texas twice with clutch hitting and efficient pitching. The offense exploded early, and the pitching staff delivered double-digit strikeouts in every game.

UCLA Bruins

The Bruins left no doubt, going 3-0 in the Los Angeles Regional. After a 19–4 blowout win over Fresno State, they overpowered Arizona State 11–5 behind a Roman Martin grand slam. In the final, UCLA jumped out to an 8–0 lead on UC Irvine, led by Mulivai Levu’s three-run bomb. The bullpen finished strong as UCLA advanced to its first Super since 2019.
MLB Draft Watch – Names to Know
UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky

A projected 1.1 candidate in the 2026 MLB Draft, Cholowsky has shown power (.775 SLG), elite OBP (.507), and advanced defensive tools. He’s a franchise-type college shortstop.

UTSA RHP Zach Royse

With a mid-90s fastball and a sharp slider, Royse has emerged as a top arm for UTSA. His control has improved, and scouts like his upside as a backend starter.

UTSA OF Drew Detlefsen

The AAC Player of the Year has posted big-time numbers (.318/.425/.571, 13 HR), and while he has some swing-and-miss in his profile, the raw power is undeniable.
Series Prediction – Can UTSA’s Magic Continue?
Call it crazy, but the vibes around UTSA are undeniable. They’re red-hot, confident, and just knocked out one of the best rosters in college baseball. That matters. Still, UCLA has more depth and arguably the best player in the series.

But in postseason baseball, momentum and belief often outweigh projections.

Prediction: UTSA in 3.
The Bruins are built to win, but the Roadrunners are built to disrupt—and that’s what they’ve done all year.

Series Odds: UCLA -180 | UTSA +145

*All Odds Subject to Change. Courtesy Bet365
Series Preview – UTSA Roadrunners vs. UCLA Bruins
The Los Angeles Super Regional was never supposed to look like this. What was projected to be a Texas-UCLA clash quickly became the Cinderella story of UTSA vs. the Bruins. The No. 25 Roadrunners shocked the college baseball world by winning the Austin Regional, eliminating the No. 2 overall seed Texas Longhorns in their own backyard. Meanwhile, UCLA held serve in dominant fashion, steamrolling through their home bracket with offensive firepower and solid arms.

This matchup offers a stylistic contrast. UTSA brings elite contact, high OBP, and gritty baseball, ranking in the top 10 nationally in batting average and on-base percentage despite a low slugging profile. UCLA, on the other hand, brings a more balanced attack. Elite draft prospect Roch Cholowsky anchors their lineup, and the pitching, while inconsistent early, has steadied down the stretch.

With a trip to Omaha on the line, expect intensity and chaos from both dugouts. UTSA has embraced the underdog role and proven it can beat top-tier teams on the road. UCLA enters with more pedigree and depth, but this series is far from a lock.

#25 UTSA Roadrunners

Overall: 47-13

Conference: 23-4

RPI: 18

SOS: 100

#16 UCLA Bruins

Overall: 45-16

Conference: 22-8

RPI: 11

SOS: 29

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.

D1Baseball Super Regional: UTSA vs UCLA Series Breakdown

#25 UTSA Roadrunners

#16 UCLA Bruins

#25 UTSA Roadrunners

#16 UCLA Bruins

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